United Aviate academy, Cirrus CAPS deployment

MikeD

Administrator
Staff member
Happened yesterday evening, Sr20 N619AV, ELP-GYR. Ran into some Wx west of the Galiuro mountains, possible icing issues followed. Deployed the chute west of Basset Peak and luckily landed west of the mountains in the mostly flat terrain, southeast of San Manuel. Pilot reportedly uninjured. Rescued by Pinal County Air 2, closer than us to the scene and was able to render aid.
 
Happened yesterday evening, Sr20 N619AV, ELP-GYR. Ran into some Wx west of the Galiuro mountains, possible icing issues followed. Deployed the chute west of Basset Peak and luckily landed west of the mountains in the mostly flat terrain, southeast of San Manuel. Pilot reportedly uninjured. Rescued by Pinal County Air 2, closer than us to the scene and was able to render aid.
Parachutes are a good thing. That's pretty cool.
 
Parachutes are a good thing. That's pretty cool.
Just lucky the mountains were cleared and managed to parachute down into the flats. If it was a landing on the side of the Gailuros and then tumbling down the steep cliffs. Once the chute is pulled, youre just along for the ride.
 
CAPS isn't great for water landings. The gear will push through the water without yielding, then the fuselage & wings hit with a sudden stop. More than one broken back from the compression forces. Potentially better than gliding into water, but not something that changes the risk profile for myself. Honestly I'd rather swim away from a sinking airplane with a cut up face than a broken back, and have briefed that I won't pull for an engine failure if a water "landing" would result.

Yeah, for all the grief people give them, it’s an awesome technology that makes a piston SE platform suitable for night over terrain and over water ops.
 
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